Abstract: A workpiece clamping assembly includes a fixed member and a movable member and the movable member is associated with a motor for movement toward and away from the fixed member. The motor is in communication with a controller that selectively signals for movement of the movable members in response to an operator's command.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands such as, e.g., collar or neck bands, sleeve bands, wrist bands, waist bands and ankle bands, etc. to a garment opening. In one example, among others, a band can be attached to a garment by loading the band between rollers in a joining position, positioning an opening of a garment extending between control surface mandrels over the band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening.

Abstract: A bow and skew reduction control system and method is disclosed. In a tufting machine, an elongate bow roll is positioned intermediate a supply of a backing material to be tufted and a cloth feed roll positioned upstream of a needle bar. The backing material is passed at least partially about the bow roll and is passed over the cloth feed roll and into a tufting zone positioned with respect to the needle bar. The bow roll is provided with an actuator operably coupled to a controller. The roll of backing material is supported at its respective ends by a pair of jack assemblies, the jack assemblies being constructed and arranged for independent operation, and for raising and lowering, respectively, the ends of the roll of backing material as instructed by the controller. At least one, or a plurality, of spaced weft yarn markers are formed or otherwise disposed on the backing material and are parallel with the weft yarns thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement of sewing successive edges of material which extend in two directions. The arrangement comprises a stationary sewing table having a prescribed sewing area. The sewing table supports a carriage. A sewing machine is supported by the carriage. Drives are provided for the carriage and the sewing machine and are operative to move the carriage selectively in the X and Y directions while operating the sewing machine to sew. A material feeding assembly having an independent drive is provided to feed material into the sewing area and to maintain the fed material in the sewing area in a flat fixed position for a prescribed period of time. A control operates to actuate the feeding assembly to position the material, to actuate the sewing machine to sew and to actuate the carriage carrying the sewing machine to move in the X and Y directions about the sewing area forming automatically a folded fabric having all edges stitched.

Abstract: A collar attachment station having an automatic collar loading system that includes a pair of guide rollers about which a circular collar is received. The guide rollers have a substantially conical construction and a roughened outer surface. As the guide rollers are rotated, the collar is drawn along the roughened surface of the guide rollers and into a sewing position beneath the sewing needle and presser foot of a sewing machine for the collar attachment station. A shirt body is placed over the collar and the collar and shirt body are expanded, and the edges of the collar and the neck opening of the shirt body are sewn together to attach the collar to the shirt body.

Abstract: A looped elastic waistband (14) is positioned along a circular sewing path (12) with the waist edge (21) of a pair of pants (12) in straddling relationship thereover. The garment parts are advanced past a folding assembly (61), which folds the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14), and past sewing needles (13) that form lines of stitching along the aligned edges of the pants (16) and waistband (14) and through the folded portion (22) of the pants waist (19). In the meantime, the position of the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) over the waistband (14) is adjusted in response to position the waist edges (21) as detected by body edge sensor (13) which controls the reciprocation of a pair of drive wheels (87 and 88) of an edge guide assembly (86) which engage and urge the waist edge (21) of the pants (16) across from the sewing path (12).

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a seam along the aligned edges of a two ply waist band and a shirt body. The mechanism includes edge guiders, that are controlled by sensors, for individually controlling each workpiece edge such that the marginal edges of all layers are aligned.

Abstract: An automated circular sewing machine system for attaching an elastic band to a tubular body of fabric or simply forming and sewing a hem thereon. The system includes, among other things, a sewing head which is located between a pair of elongated work holding roller assemblies which project outwardly on either side of the sewing head. The roller assemblies include a front or feed side roller assembly and a rear or drive and tensioning roller assembly. The front roller assembly is free wheeling and is fixed in position relative to the sewing head. The drive and tensioning roller assembly includes a movable drive and tensioning roller driven by a motor and consisting of a solid unitary member which is generally cylindrical with a rounded outer nose portion and an inner fabric support surface. The entire drive and tensioning roller assembly is pre-positioned by a laterally movable clamping plate assembly to a fixed position relative to the sewing head depending on the size of the tubular body being sewn.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a coverstitch over an existing overedge stitch. The workpiece control and advancing mechanism includes an edge sensor and an edge guider and a feed roller for stretching the garment to place the garment in a condition that it can be automatically processed.

Abstract: A multi-needle border machine having folders employable, for example, in mattress manufacturing. A multi-needle quilter for sewing mattress top pieces can be converted to sew one or many border pieces or a smaller version employing the same multi-needle technology can be made which can sew simultaneously, for example, one to three border pieces. For example, the machine is used to sew a mattress border piece including a ticking and a filler such as foam, the border having a des mired sewn pattern thereon. The border is the piece which goes around the sides of the mattress. By folding the edges of the ticking before sewing and by sewing so that the pattern sews into the folded areas, the need for a separate border serger is eliminated. By balancing machine components, the weight of the machine can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and sewing a waist band to complete a pair of briefs. The apparatus includes a band maker for forming the waist band. The apparatus also includes at least one sewing machine adapted to receive the waist band and a pair of briefs and to sew the waist band onto the pair of briefs. A band inverter and loader transfers the waist band from the band maker to the sewing machine. Finally, a transfer assembly transfers the pair of briefs from an upstream work station to the sewing machine where the waist band and pair of brief are sewn together.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a seam along the aligned edges of a two ply waist band and a shirt body. The mechanism includes edge guiders, that are controlled by sensors, for individually controlling each workpiece edge such that the marginal edges of all layers are aligned.

Abstract: A towel cloth drawing-out device comprises a pair of working tables facing each other with a gap therebetween, a towel cloth drawing unit for drawing out the towel cloth from the towel material to hang the same in the gap, a towel cloth clamp member which is provided in the gap and is able to reciprocate in the drawing direction of the towel cloth, a driving unit for reciprocating the towel cloth clamp member and a vertical wall which is provided on the side of one of the working tables, the working table being disposed on the drawing side of the towel cloth, for clamping the same between the towel cloth clamp member and itself.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus combines an elastic band with a non-elastic draw cord to form a composite band. The apparatus includes a sewing machine for sewing the draw cord to one surface of the elastic band. The sewing machine forms a plurality of stitches that collectively define a longitudinally extending channel encasing the draw cord. The elastic band is fed through the sewing machine by a set of feed rollers disposed upstream from the sewing machine and a set of draw rollers disposed downstream of the sewing machine. The draw rollers are operated at a higher feed rate than the feed rollers to stretch a segment of the elastic band as it passes through the sewing machine. The draw cord is fed through the sewing machine in side-by-side relationship with the elastic band and is secured to the band while the band is in a stretched condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically inserting an elastic tape into a binding tape, and simultaneously sewing the leading and trailing ends of the elastic tape with the binding tape to the hem of a workpiece. A pair of feed rollers and a tensioning device for the elastic tape are provided above a vertical cylindrical guide. An outlet of the vertical cylindrical guide is directed toward the presser foot of a sewing machine, and shifted between positions on and outside the sewing line of the sewing machine. A cutting device for the elastic tape in the direction crossing with the advancing direction is driven by a shaft vertically placed along the vertical cylindrical guide. An advancing speed of the trailing end of the cut elastic tape extending to the presser foot is reduced by a tape pressing device until the trailing end is fed under the presser foot.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of attaching an elastic band to the body of a garment is provided. The workpieces are monitored and aligned during the attachment process by sensors and guide mechanisms, electrically coupled to a controller that facilitates the activities, while a tensioning mechanism maintains the workpieces in a desired configuration. The use of the apparatus and method results in an efficient and automatic process of attachment that eliminates the need for an operator to manually align and guide the workpieces through the sewing instrumentality.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method enable the production of novel decorative fabrics having flat narrow fabrics stitchingly secured in longitudinally compressed substrate. The narrow fabrics are such as lace, ribbon, braid or tape. The apparatus and method function so as to guide a narrow fabric into the path of a conventional reciprocating sewing needle whereby the needle on each downward stroke strikes the fabric and advances it in a compressed convoluted condition toward the needle plate whereupon the fabric is stitched in its compressed convoluted condition to a substrate or devoid of a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the cross-seams of similar lateral edges of two composite limp material segments, where each composite limp material segment includes two panels joined at a cross-seam extending transversely from corresponding points in the lateral edges-to-be-aligned. Following alignment of the cross-seams of the lateral edges, the segments are fed from the apparatus with the lateral edges and corresponding points of the cross-seams in overlapping alignment. Thereafter, the aligned edges may be joined using a conventional sewing machine.

Abstract: A tape feed device for an elastic tape from a supply at a sewing machine having a biased actuating lever, whose angular position varies in dependence upon the size of a loop and which controls the motor of a take-off roller. An adjuster, which is electrically actuable in a controlled manner, acts on the actuating lever in such a way that the tape tension can be altered in accordance with an electrical variable. The adjuster has a coil whose electromagnetic field lines cut an armature which is connected to the actuating lever.

Abstract: The elastic tape sewing machine comprises feed teeth feeding a combined body of a fabric and an elastic tape, a sewing needle sewing the elastic tape on the fabric, a presser foot including an elastic tape through-hole and movable to and from said feed teeth to hold the combined body of the fabric and the elastic tape with the feed teeth, a supply device including a retaining means retaining the elastic tape utilizing spring force of an elastic body and feeding the elastic tape through the elastic tape through-hole to one side of the presser foot opposing the feed teeth, a guide device guiding the elastic tape fed from the supply device to a sewing-ready position between the presser foot and the feed teeth, and a cutting device to cut the elastic tape, characterized in that said retaining means includes a regulating apparatus formed by a regulating mechanism having a motor rotating predetermined angle by an electric signal to regulate the spring force of the elastic body and a controller controlling the rotat

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an elastic band in a hem tunnel formed of garment fabric comprises a fabric folding device having an entry zone and an exit zone both of which are planar, the entry zone being inclined at an angle, conveniently between 30.degree. and 90.degree., preferably 45.degree., relative to the exit zone. A guide roller by which a band is guided to the entry zone is rotatable about an axis parallel with the entry zone and at right angles to the direction of feed of the band and fabric through the device. The apparatus facilitates the incorporation of draw-cord elastic into garment hem tunnels.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding elastic strip material to a sewing machine feeding a strip in response to one or more control signals. The strip feeder uses a feed roller having an associated pressure roller to provide a feed nip with the feeding roller, a sensor directly senses the rate of feed of the strip and generates one or more sensing signals. The sensor uses a signal generator which is a rotary pulse generator, or a photoelectric device for detecting marks on the strip. A controller receives the sensing signals and generates control signals for controlling the rate of feed of the strip.

Abstract: A pair of first and second working tables which are oppositely disposed and defining a space therebetween. Provided at the first working table is a detector for identifying a thickness of a plain fabric portion from that of a pile fabric portion of a towel cloth. Provided also at the first working table this is a cutting unit spaced from the detector in a predetermined interval for cutting the towel cloth. Provided at the second working table is a base plate on which a clamping unit is mounted for clamping and drawing the towel cloth. Over the space between the first and the second working tables there is provided a towel cloth drawing unit across the towel cloth and movable vertically for drawing the towel cloth from a towel material.

Abstract: A sewing machine for making a threefold hem in each of the legs of a pair of trousers has a folding guide member for turning a bottom edge of the trouser leg inwardly of the trouser leg, a revolving roller positioned below the folding guide member for rocking motion in a direction rightwards and leftwards, and a detecting plate positioned above the folding guide member for the detection of the passage of at least one seam in the trouser legs over the folding guide member and movable up and down.

Abstract: A pair of first and second working tables are oppositely disposed and spaced apart. A detector at the first working table is used to distinguish a thickness of a plain fabric portion from that of a pile fabric portion of a towel cloth. A cutting unit at the first working table is spaced from the detector by a predetermined interval for cutting the towel cloth. A base plate at the second working table on which a clamping unit is mounted for clamping and drawing the towel cloth. A towel cloth drawing unit employing a bar member extends over the space between the first and the second working tables across the upper surface of the towel cloth and is movable vertically for drawing the towel cloth from a towel material. A pneumatic cylinder is disposed on the upper portion of the body. A plurality of correction pieces disposed on the body and urged by the forward actuation of the pneumatic cylinder contact and press the upper surface of the towel cloth thereby correcting bending of the towel cloth.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding and braking elastic or nonelastic bands during sewing to pieces of fabric has an elongated flat housing of rectangular cross-sectional outline with a transversely extending channel for a band. The housing is separably affixed to the table of a household sewing machine and contains a reciprocable slide which can alter the effective width of the channel. The slide is installed at one side of the channel, and the housing supports an adjustable fabric guide at the other side of the channel. A plate-like biasing member is installed in the channel at a level above the band, and the biasing member can be moved up or down by a screw having a knurled head so as to select the force with which the underside of the biasing member bears against the upper side of the band.

Abstract: Apparatus for stretching and folding a limp fabric piece (1), having a plurality of opposed elastic bands (12,12',13,13') extending therefrom comprising a platform (2) having a foldable segment, means for folding said foldable segment relative to the platform (2),A limp fabric piece feeding plate (5) for feeding said limp fabric piece (1) to said platform (2) and holding said fabric piece (1) thereon in an extended condition and in a pre-determined position to enable eventual folding of the fabric piece (1) to produce a garment,means for moving said plate (5) horizontally or vertically,suction means located adjacent said platform (2) for applying suction to the elastic bands (12,12',13,13') extending from the fabric piece (1),elastic band gripper means associated with the suction means for gripping and holding the sucked-in elastic bands (12,12',13,13'), relative to said suction means,means for moving said suction means relative to said platform (2) to stretch said fabric piece (1),garment gripper means assoc

Abstract: In order to permit a reliable alignment, in the direction transverse to the direction of rotation, of the edge 5 of the opening of a tubular workpiece 4 of medium-heavy to heavy sewing material which is drawn with considerable pre-tension over a tensioning device 3, each of the tensioning rollers 6, 7, 8 belonging to the tensioning device 3 has at least three alignment members 15 distributed uniformly over its circumference. Each alignment member 15 has an engagement side with a gripping surface. After optically scanning the edge 5 of the opening of the workpiece 4, one or more of the alignment members are displaced by a pulsating action of a pressure fluid, radially and axially, in the tensioning roller 6, 7, 8. In this way, the gripping surfaces of the alignment members 15 grip the inner side of the tubular workpiece 4 and displace it transversely to its direction of rotation.

Abstract: A waistband sew-in device to carry out. The sewing of waistbands in the waist part of briefs, skirts and trousers by retaining a cloth in a hoop shape with a stationary frame equipped with an inverted two-legged U-shaped guide surface, inserting a stretched waistband outside the cloth, folding over a cloth edge of the cloth in two plies to the outside of the waistband, further folding the cloth edge of the already folded part in two plies to be pushed into the space between the waistband and the cloth, sliding a belt strip reeled on the guide surface of the stationary frame on the guide surface by a take-up and rewinding mechanism installed on each leg of the two legs of the stationary frame, and sending the cloth having the waistband reeled in its three-folded cloth edge into a sewing unit of a sewing machine together with said waistband.

Abstract: A device for tensioning material to be sewn includes a driven pull roller, a connecting plate for shifting the pull roller upwardly when the presser foot of a sewing machine is raised, and a cammed guide track and follower support for the pull roller that causes the pull roller to retract outwardly with respect to the presser foot when the pull roller is shifted upwardly. Also provided is a handle for retracting the pull roller assembly independent of the motion of the presser foot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and folding a limp fabric piece (40) comprising transporting the fabric piece (40) in a stretched condition to foldable support (41), mechanically, sequentially gripping and stretching marginal portions (46) of the fabric piece (40) on each side of the fold line (51) of the foldable support (41) by means of selectively operable fingers (45), folding one section (50) of the foldable support (41) over the other, clamping overlapping marginal portions (46), unfolding the foldable support (41) while concurrently releasing fingers (45) from engagement with the fabric piece (40).

Abstract: A device and method for linearly inserting an interlining into the formation of a waistband of a garment such as slacks. The device has separate guiding means which directs different strips of fabric into a sewing mechanism which, in turn, combines the waistband components. One of the fabrics constitutes the interlining which prevents the waistband from rolling over in use. The guide for feeding the interlining into the sewing mechanism utilizes a linearly moving air cylinder. Pins on a holder pivotally connected to the cylinder attach to the interlining and feed it directly into the sewing mechnism. As a result, the pins and the interlining move linearly toward the sewing mechanism. As the cylinder returns to its starting position, the holder pivots to release the pins from the material to avoid pulling the interlining away from the sewing mechanism. Lastly, a knife connects to a second cylinder through a chain link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for the automatic production of discrete cuffed sleeve blanks from distinct initial sleeve blanks and a continuous roll of knit cuffing material. The initial sleeve blanks are place end-to-end, a gap is introduced between them, and they are passed in a first direction with a first edge thereof parallel to the first direction. The continuous length of cuffing material is folded over to provide a double thickness having a first edge which is parallel to the sleeve blank first edge, the cuffing material and sleeve blank first edges are overlapped, moved together, and sewn to each other with an "over-edger" automatic sewing machine. The cuffing material is stretched just prior to being fed to the sewing machine, and is stretched again after sewing and severed from the rest of the roll. A driven roller includes non-rotatable washers having projecting portions engaging a blade of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic dart stretcher for removal of the fullness of material from a portion of a garment around a dart seam to faciliate the sewing of a pocket welting onto the garment proximate thereto; two pairs clamping feet are provided to hold the material in an orthogonal and a parallel direction relative to the seam; the two pairs of clamping feet being orthogonally movable relative to each other, one clamping foot of each pair of clamping being movable together in a first direction and one clamping foot of each pair of feet being movable in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An elastic band feeding and tensioning mechanism and method for the application of an elastic band, having at least a portion thereof tensioned, on a fabric piece fed under a stitching needle of a sewing machine. A footplate guide is provided for positioning the elastic band in alignment on a fabric piece. A sewing guide member is adapted for securement to a foot arm of a sewing machine, and has a jaw opening for receiving the elastic band. A guide mechanism is provided for guiding the elastic band toward the jaw opening. The elastic band is advanced through the sewing machine by the feeddog of the sewing machine and tension is applied to the band by tension members. The tension members comprise a drive and idler rolls driven at a band feeding speed slower than the feeddog, and a further band stretching roll which instantaneously stitches the band between the drive roll and feeddog.

Abstract: In order to be able to execute the commercial production of fitted elastic bedsheets from a strip of cloth, markings are applied to the strip of cloth, which determine the attachment points for stretched elastic bands, the transverse cutting lines on the strip of cloth and the seams at the corners of each piece of cloth to be cut from the strip of cloth. The stretched elastic bands are sewn on or in the edges of the strip of cloth, while the strip of cloth is being moved in the lengthwise direction and is held in a flat state. Then individual pieces of cloth are cut from the strip of cloth. The stretched elastic bands then are sewn on or in the two edges of the pieces of cloth being moved transverse to the length of the strip of cloth, which corresponds to the cut edges. With this sewing process, the pieces of cloth are likewise held in a flat state.

Abstract: A method of sewing and an automatic sewing apparatus for accurately aligning fabric pieces and continuously fed zipper chain at a sewing station and sequentially thereafter sewing the chain into the fabric in zipper-closed condition, cutting the chain to a length determined by the length of the fabric, cutting the sewing thread upon completion of the sewing operation and stacking the assembled fabric and zipper combination for subsequent removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately aligning the top and bottom edges of a garment's workpieces to assure even cuffs after sewing, the apparatus comprising two locking jaw assemblies which cooperate with drive rollers (all of which are located upstream of the sewing head) and the conventional bottom feed action of the lower feed dogs on a sewing machine to capture any excess length or slack of the garment's panels between the locking jaws (to match the cuffs ) and then to drive any excess slack out of the panels as they are fed to the sewing head to be sewn.

Abstract: A device at a sewing machine for applying a tensile stress in a material to be fed for sewing, particularly a thread, a ribbon etc. Several pneumatic cylinders are arranged in parallel for generating a variable force acting upon at least one friction element. Several pneumatic cylinders are combined into groups, which are selectively controllable by compressed air valves and a selector switch. Due to the special construction of the pneumatic cylinders, there is obtained a cost-saving tensioning device for generating a tensile stress in a material.

Abstract: An elongated workpiece is transported forwardly and backwards in a sewing or stitching machine by looping it upstream and downstream of the sewing or stitching station, by maintaining both loops under tension, by increasing the size of the downstream loop simultaneously with a reduction of the size of the upstream loop, and vice versa.

Abstract: A braking device for strip material particularly for a sewing machine which sews a garment requiring ruffling comprises a fixed guide over which the strip material such as tape is fed. A resilient member overlies the fixed guide and it is engaged by a multi-step cam plate mounted for rotation about an axis so that a plurality of flat sides thereof may be selectively engaged against the resilient member to force it against the material passing on the guide so as to apply a selected braking force thereto. The resilient member advantageously comprises a leaf spring and the multi-step cam plate includes a plurality of engagements surfaces arranged at different distances from the central axis of its rotation which may be positioned by a hand knob control to bear against the resilient member and effect the varying braking of the tape being fed.

Abstract: A method of automatically producing seams in fabric webs, especially sackings or ticks of (wadded) bed quilts, by producing the seams during, and with the aid of, a freely programmably relative movement between the fabric web and at least one sewing machine head. The fabric web is drawn continuously or successively (in steps) and against a constant take-up force along a linear path, and the sewing head performs program-controlled motions in a processed web portion extending transversely of said path. A system for carrying out this method, utilizes a machine table and an associated quilting-sewing machine having an arm and a machine head mounted to the latter. The arm (20) is guided by a pair of supports (6, 7) positioned perpendicular with each other and adapted to be moved in the longitudinal direction (X) and transverse direction (Y) by freely programmably controlled drive apparatus.

Abstract: A workpiece guide rail for a sewing machine, and more particularly a guide rail which includes a sewing material stretching device for spreading out the workpiece along the course of a seam prior to sewing. The guide rail includes a frame and a plurality of holding elements movably mounted on the frame, each holding element having a lower surface adapted for gripping the workpiece. The holding elements are interlinked to form a chain, one end of the chain being fixed to the frame, and an actuator is provided on the frame for pulling the other end of the chain for separating the holding elements in order to spread out the workpiece.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a rubber strip to a tubular end section of an item of clothing made from an elastic, textile fabric to form an endless, elastic gather, has a feed mechanism for feeding the rubber strip, and a presser foot and transportor for feeding the item of clothing. A brake and shear are positioned in the path of the rubber strip. When actuated, the brake holds the end section of rubber strip under a desired tension so that the end of the strip is precisely sewn to the item of clothing with respect to the front edge of the strip. Additionally, a light barrier is positioned in the path of the strip which has been sewn to the item of clothing to control the feed mechanism for feeding the rubber strip, the shear, and the brake.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming and securing by stitching articles with mitered corners such as bed sheets or the like in which the mitered corner is contorted into a substantially flat configuration capable of being secured by a straight line of stitching.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for assembling fastening elements to fabric pieces including sewing separated fastener stringer tapes to respective fabric pieces pulling the sewn element downstream as the sewing proceeds, and partially combining the separated stringer tapes by pulling the slider downstream through a portion of the length of the fastener elements while retarding movement of the stringer tapes at their upstream ends.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a tension regulator for elastic tape and the like, particularly in sewing machines adapted to attach tape to a workpiece.This regulator substantially consists of an electromechanical transducer on which the stress produced by tensioning the tape causes a mechanical deformation converted into an electrical signal; this electrical signal, suitably processed, controls a motor means which acts so as to feed or take up tape in order to keep the tension of the same at a constant value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automatically guiding, trimming, splitting and side hemming continuous textile material having thickened individual portions, such as terry towels, woven therein in side-by-side relationship transversely of the material and in series longitudinally of the material. This material is fed through the apparatus and thinned selvage edge portions are trimmed to a predetermined width, hems are formed in each of the trimmed selvage edges and stitched with mechanisms in a first work station of the apparatus. The trimming, folding and stitching mechanisms on each side of the traveling material are individually moved and aligned in proper transverse positions relative to each of the selvage edges regardless of transverse deviation in the longitudinal paths of travel of the selvage edges as the material travels through the first work station.

Abstract: An automated assembly produces a continuous, contiguous series of individual pieces sewn in a continuously operating sewing machine by conducting successive pieces to the sewing station through a feed station. The feed station may receive the pieces intermittently and irregularly but is equipped with guides and drives for accelerating each successive piece relative to the preceding pieces being sewn in the sewing machine to overtake any spatial gap between the trail end of the preceding piece and the lead end of the succeeding piece so that these ends abut prior to completion of the sewing of the preceding piece. The drives are continuously operating, yet overlapping of the end-to-end relation of the pieces and bunching or furling of the pieces due to this end-to-end abutment are prevented by guide surface confinement of the pieces in the feed station and a predetermined capability for slippage in the drive. The assembly has application in the making of closures for fly openings.

Abstract: A feed device for feeding a material pattern cut to a sewing machine for the forming of stitch groups such as a row of button holes by a reciprocating needle operating on the material pattern which is advanced through the needle path and moved in a draw-off path, comprising a draw-off roll arranged alongside the needle in a position to engage the material. The draw-off roll is arranged on a shaft which is coupled through a sleeve to another shaft containing a transport roller forming part of a material transport. Drive means are connected to drive the shafts of the draw-off roller and a laterally arranged transport roller and a drive belt is interconnected between the transport roller and a second transport roller which extends rearwardly thereof and is located at the turning point of the material draw-off.